Meet Our Staff

stephen Hicks, Director of Operations
Stephen is a native of California but has lived in Hawaii for the past 24 years. He earned his sea legs having spent over 14 years working at sea in management for the shipping industry on both oil tankers and cruise ships. In addition to his shipping management experience, Stephen has worked in restaurant management and owns an Internet website design and hosting company. He joined the Hawaii team as Director of Operations in 2006.

Johnessa Labrador, Sales & Marketing
Johnessa was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii. Her knowledge of the island, love for the ocean, and spirit of aloha, has made her an asset to our Red Sail Sports team. Many of her co-workers compliment her on her upbeat attitude and infectious smile. Johnessa has been working at Red Sail Sports since December of 2000, starting in the recreation department, moving up to work in the retail/reservation and beach departments, and five years later began assuming the job of sales and marketing manager. She is quoted as saying, “I am so proud to be from the Big Island, and although I love to travel, I have no plans of ever moving.”  Working at Red Sail Sports is an ideal job for Johnessa, as she enjoys being near the water, allowing her to showcase the island’s best asset (the ocean) to visitors and locals alike. Call her today and ask about our “exclusive charters”.  1.808.886.2997 extension 1295.

Captain George Pitts, Catamaran Captain
Captain Pitts started sailing at an early age in Rhode Island. After high school, he moved to southern California where he continued participating in many watersports and worked on obtaining his Master's Degree. Upon relocating his family to Hawaii in the late 1970s, he started working in the visitor industry as a Captain aboard many vessels and built a reputation based on integrity and safety. He first sailed for us at the opening of the Hilton Hotel (formerly a Hyatt Resort) in Waikoloa. In the early 90s, he left to work around Hawaii and the Gulf of Mexico on larger, high tech vessels and upgraded his license to its current tonnage rating to a 100 ton Auxiliary Sail endorsement. George recently returned to Red Sail Sports and eagerly accepts his current position as Captain of the "Noa Noa" catamaran.

Douglas Bach, Captain/PADI Dive Instructor
Doug has 30 years of experience on, in and under Hawaiian waters operating dive, snorkel and whale watchomg trips. He has logged over 10,000 dives as an owner and operator of charter operations on Oahu and on the Big Island. Doug has worked with Red Sail Sports for 8 years.

Bob Andresen, Capt/ PADI Dive Instructor
Bob is very familiar with the underwater habitats and dive sites in these warm Hawaiian waters. He has 6 years of diving experience in Hawaii and 10 years in California with Diving Dolphin Scuba.

Bob Kurth, Captain/ Master Scuba Dive Instructor
With specialties of deep dives, night dives, navigation dives, and wreck boats, Bob has 24 years’ diving experience in Japan, California, the Great Lakes, and most recently in Hawaii. He has 14 years of instructional training, has logged over 6,000 dives, and has earned over 200 certifications to various levels. Bob has owned and operated dive shops and dive charters for 15 years. His emphasis is on teaching introductory programs, Open Water certifications, and in teaching young children the thrilling underwater world of scuba.